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Here is a list of 4 common winter tree pests and tips to get rid of them
Winters can be a harsh time for trees and plants alike. With low temperatures, weak sunlight, and stunted growth, it is important that one keeps trees safe from an additional threat such as pests. Although you may think that you know the tips and tricks of keeping trees safe, some of the most prevalent tree care tactics are actually baseless myths.
Pests That Attack Trees In The Winter
Some of the most common pests attack trees in the winters. Therefore it is important to know about them so you can protect your trees. Here are four of the most common winter pests:
Spider Mites
- Spider mites prefer the winters to hide in the bark of trees for hibernation and protection against the cold weather. In the summer months, they are incredibly active and can multiply in large numbers. They can cause damage to your leaves as well as strip the tree of its sap. That’s why it’s imperative that you tackle the problem as soon as you can.
You might notice red or brown powder dust on the bark of your trees. This is often a dead giveaway that they have been attacked by spider mites.
Scales
- Scales insects look like bumps on the bark of the tree. Their appearance is what makes them so dangerous as one wouldn’t assume they are insects in the first place. They have both hard and soft protective shells that keep them safe from any insecticide. On the inside, they feast on the plant and drain it of its nutrients.
Over time, the plant may start looking dead and not grow very well. They are a serious threat because they often go unnoticed till the plant has sustained visible damage.
Aphids
- Aphids are the lice of trees, tiny bugs that infest the tree in large numbers. There are over 4000 known species in the world and they come in many different colors. Although there are natural predators that eat them, they are not been preyed on enough to reduce an infestation. In the winter months, they lay eggs on the trees and lay dormant till temperatures rise in spring.
Aphids eat the sap of trees, depriving them of their nutrients. During an aphid infestation, a tree can easily turn yellow with stunted growth in a short while. It is important to take care of the eggs in winters or else the tree won’t have much of a chance in spring.
Coddling Moth Grubs
When it comes to pest infections, worms are the last thing you’d expect to be tackling. Coddling Moth Grubs are larvae that like to reside in fruit and nut-bearing trees for the winter. As soon as fruits begin to develop in spring, they attack the fruit and cause issues in plant reproduction. These pests are the infamous worms you see in apples in various popular media.
For a common person, it could be next to impossible to spot these creatures. Only a professional can spot them and get rid of them. You need to make sure the issue is tackled before winter starts.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Pests
- Although there are many natural and homemade remedies to rid trees of winter pests, there is no guarantee that they will work. This is because most of these pests are incredibly stubborn and lay eggs in large quantities. At-home remedies simply lack the scope of the solution required to make a difference.
At American Tree Experts, Inc. we offer the best services to keep your plants out of harm’s way. Our pest control services can help rid your trees of winter pests before their eggs have the chance to hatch in spring. Some of our other most sought out services are pruning, bracing, pest management, and nutritional management. We offer services in Mont Clair, New Jersey. Call us at 973-744-6091 for a free quote.